Mike Zunino

After Zunino batted .199 with a .658 OPS in 2014, it was obvious he needed more time in the minors to hone his hitting skills. But there he was on Opening Day as the Mariners' starting catcher, and th...

Zunino set a franchise record for home runs by a catcher last season, but it came with a .199 average, the lowest in the majors among catchers with at least 300 at-bats. More than half (44) of Zunino's 87 hits went for extra bases. Yes, Zunino can jump on a major league fastball. It's on breaking and offspeed pitches where his at-bats go to die. Zunino struck out in a third of his plate appearances last season while walking just 3.6% of the time. But he's just 24 and is still developing after being rushed to the big leagues with only 419 minor league plate appearances under his belt. The Mariners like the way he handles the pitching staff, and there is no one around to challenge him for playing time.

2014

Zunino had a rough rookie season. Promoted in June, a broken hand in late July caused him to miss more than month. Zunino is still trying to find his way at the plate, as a steady diet of breaking and offspeed pitches proved to be his nemesis. The Mariners, though, are content to focus most of his attention on his catching for now. The Mariners could bring in a veteran catcher to tutor Zunino this year, but the team is clearly banking on him as the catcher of the future. While the 2012 No. 3 overall pick didn't make quite as big an impact as many expected last season, Zunino will have ample opportunity to make a name for himself this season. Keep an eye on him this spring and into the year – the raw power he showed last year could quickly increase his value for fantasy owners.

2013

The 2012 Golden Spikes Award winner as the nation's top amateur player, Zunino was drafted third overall by the Mariners, who were enamored with his defense. It's been his bat, though, that has turned heads thus far - 13 homers between short-season Everett (1.210 OPS) and Double-A Jacksonville (.974 OPS) in 44 games - while his defense has caused some angst. He was said to have good hands and good agility, but he struggled blocking pitches behind the plate. Nevertheless, after a good showing in the Arizona Fall League with his bat, he goes to spring training with a shot at making the big-league club. The Mariners have only one catcher, Jesus Montero, on the roster after dealing John Jaso in January. And Montero likely will spend time again at DH, making a third catcher necessary. Zunino's bat might be ready, but his catching likely needs more polish, and the Mariners won't be quick to sacrifice essential development time. Triple-A is probably more realistic, though it won't surprise if he makes his way to Seattle at some point this season. Long-term, Zunino is clearly the catcher of the future, which also means Montero is destined for DH/1B duty.